Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 2 Kings 4:9
And she said unto her husband, Behold now, I perceive that this [is] a holy man of God, which passeth by us continually.
9. she said unto her husband ] The woman was not content with providing food, but out of reverence for the character of the visitor, desired to provide a lodging also.
I perceive that this is a holy man of God ] Probably before the first invitation the woman had learnt something of Elisha’s work and the reason of his frequent journeys. Now when he became their guest she had full opportunity of enquiring from Gehazi, and observing for herself the way in which he laboured to keep alive the true worship of God in the land. The existence of a family like this of the Shunammite is evidence that amid much corruption God was not yet forgotten in the ten tribes. The name ‘man of God’ was applied to Elijah (1Ki 17:24) by the widow of Zarephath after she had beheld what great things God did through his ministry. She added also ‘the word of the Lord in thy mouth is truth’, which probably represents much of the feeling of the Shunammite when she spake of Elisha as ‘holy’.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Verse 9. This is a holy man of God] That is, a prophet, as the Chaldee interprets it.
Which passeth by us continually.] It probably lay in his way to some school of the prophets that he usually attended.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
An holy man of God; a prophet, as Jdg 13:6, and that of eminent holiness, by our kindness to whom we shall procure a blessing to ourselves.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
And she said unto her husband,…. Not being willing to do any thing without his leave and consent:
behold now, I perceive that this is an holy man of God which passeth by us continually: and calls here frequently: this she perceived by his discourse and conversation; and by his carriage and behaviour he appeared to be a prophet, and one very eminent for holiness and religion.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(9) An holy man of God.The term holy is not a merely ornamental or conventional epithet of the man of God (i.e., prophet) as such, but denotes the special moral elevation of Elisha.
Continually.At stated intervals, regularly.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
There is a vast deal of generosity in this woman’s mind: and yet nothing costly. How often, when entertaining strangers, have men found that they have been entertaining angels, or messengers of God, unawares. Yes! Jesus was a stranger when he came into this world; and had not where to lay his head. And oh, Reader! how little did you and I know of him when he turned in and invited himself to our house, and to our heart? for if he had not, we never should have invited him. Heb 13:1 ; Mat 25:35 .
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
2Ki 4:9 And she said unto her husband, Behold now, I perceive that this [is] an holy man of God, which passeth by us continually.
Ver. 9. Behold now, I perceive that this is a holy man. ] Holiness will as little be hid as light, fire, musk, &c. A holy man is like a crystai glass with a clear lamp in the midst of it.
Which passeth by us continually.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
holy. See note on Exo 3:5.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
she said: Pro 31:10, Pro 31:11, 1Pe 3:1
this is: Mat 5:16, 1Th 2:10, Tit 1:8, 2Pe 1:21, 2Pe 3:2
man of God: Deu 33:1, 1Ki 13:1, 1Ki 17:18, 1Ki 17:24, 1Ti 6:11
Reciprocal: Jos 14:6 – the man Jdg 13:6 – A man 2Ki 4:40 – O thou
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
2Ki 4:9-10. She said to her husband In frequent conversation with him. This is a holy man of God A prophet, and that of eminent holiness; by our kindness to whom we shall procure a blessing to ourselves. Which passeth by us continually For Shunem was in his way as he went from Carmel, which was not far from hence, to Beth-el and Jericho, and other places of the sons of the prophets. Let us make him a little chamber on the wall A private room, remote from the house, where he may retire, and be free from the noise of family business; and enjoy that privacy, which, I perceive, he desires for his prayers and meditations. Let us set for him there a bed and a table, &c. He will not be troublesome or chargeable to us: he cares not for rich furniture or costly entertainment, but is content with bare necessaries. And he shall turn in thither Take up his lodging there, if he think good.